A former abortion provider told pro-life activists in Ottawa last week that the abortion industry is motivated by money, and described her own former abortion clinics as a “cash cow.”

As the Catholic Registerreports, Carol Everett operated four abortion clinics in Texas from 1977 to 1983, until she became a Christian and a pro-life advocate.

“I sold abortions,” Everett told attendees at the annual Rose Dinner May 8 after Canada’s National March for Life.

Describing her own abortion clinics as a “cash cow” that earned her a commission for every abortion plus a share in the clinic’s fees, Everett related how an abortionist would often perform an abortion in one room of the clinic, then move on to the next procedure, often without scrubbing up again.

Everett said a newly opened abortion clinic could often pay for itself within a month.

Criticizing state-funded sex education programs for the break-down of children’s natural sense of modesty as well as for damage done to bonds between parents and children, Everett said young children are being taught about sex and masturbation in ways that “shame the children” so they will not likely tell their parents what they have heard.

In addition, Everett said children become more accepting of abortion, and keeping it private from parental influence, through the widespread prescriptions for low dose birth control pills which must be taken on a very consistent schedule in order to be effective. Since most young people are unable to adhere to the schedule, they become pregnant even while taking the pills.

The theme of Canada’s National March for Life this year was “RU-4LIFE,” one that organizers hoped would raise awareness of the dangers of abortion drug RU-486, which is in the approval process in Canada.

“The abortion industry has an agenda (on RU-486),” Everett warned. “It’s a way for the abortion industry to ‘double-dip.'”

Everett explained that first, a woman is charged for the drug, but if it is not effective in bringing about an abortion, the woman must then go to a clinic for a surgical abortion.

“We know it kills women,” said Everett about RU-486, explaining that the drug’s side effects include hemorrhaging, heart attacks and blood clots.

“Keep that chemical abortion drug out of your nation,” Everett urged. “You as citizens have more impact than anyone. It’s time for all of us to stand up.”

Everett said that most girls who become pregnant will call an abortion clinic for help, but observed that “pro-choice” almost always means they “only talk about abortion.”

“Do you ever hear them talk about adoption?” she asked.

Everett likened abortion clinic counselors to telemarketers who are trained to “overcome objections” and close a deal by making an appointment for an abortion.

“We can take care of the problem,” and “No one needs to know,” are often the selling points that reassure a young pregnant girl, she said.

Everett said that just prior to her conversion, she was considering expanding her abortion business and contacted a business advisor, a man whom she came to realize was a Christian. She told him she kept a Bible in her desk at the abortion clinic and that she prayed no women would die.

According to Everett, the advisor told her he was a preacher and that God had sent him because there was someone inside the Lord “wanted out.” Ultimately, he led her to the Sinner’s Prayer and her acknowledgment of her sinfulness.

Everett said that upon her return to her abortion clinic, she suddenly began noticing the “girls sitting in the corner crying.”

“I saw it maybe for the first time,” she said. “I used to be the hammer, pushing them towards their abortions.”

Everett said she realized that not only had she been a “baby-killing woman,” but also a “woman-killing woman.”

Reflection upon her own abortion in 1973, shortly after the Roe v. Wade decision, and the emotional pain it caused her, ultimately led her to name her aborted baby “Heidi” and to name her new foundation after her. The Heidi Group now helps women and girls in crisis pregnancies to make life-affirming choices.